Using Glydways’ electric, autonomous vehicles holding up to 4 passengers using dedicated guideways

Will pursue regional, state, federal funds for estimated $450 million project

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Tri Delta Transit are marking another milestone in the innovative East Contra Costa County Dynamic Personal Micro Transit (DPMT) Project. Today, CCTA and Tri Delta Transit are announcing a partnership with East County Connection Partners, LLC (ECCP), made up of transportation innovators Glydways and Plenary Americas, and lead construction contractor Flatiron.

DPMT is a cutting-edge technology. It provides on-demand and autonomous transportation for up to four passengers. These zero-emission electric vehicles travel in narrow, dedicated guideways to minimize the space needed to operate the system.

The DPMT Project is a 28-mile, multi-city, on-demand transit option designed to meet the diverse mobility needs of people in Eastern Contra Costa County. ECCP will help bring the vision of a safe, on-demand, single-party, transportation system into reality with its zero-emission, autonomous, four-person Glydcars. These electric vehicles travel in narrow, dedicated elevated or at-grade guideways, making more efficient use of space, substantially cutting operational costs, and providing a sustainable option that aligns with local, regional, and state emission reduction goals. The Glydcars are designed with convenience in mind, with enough space for passengers to easily travel with their luggage or bikes. The vehicles are also fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide enough room to comfortably fit a wheelchair.

The shuttles will be fully separated from traffic and are a closed system, autonomous, electric, public micro transit solution. They will be on a virtual rail, with tires on their own pathways. It will be near Highway 4 but not in the median.

This new, fare-based transit solution will help alleviate the increasing congestion on Highway 4 in East County. The project also aims to enhance transit accessibility in East County by improving connections to existing options such as BART and local bus services.     

In Spring 2021, the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg completed the East County DPMT Feasibility Study (Study) to support a potential micro-transit deployment with Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) in East Contra Costa County. Subsequently, the CCTA and Tri Delta Transit partnered to evaluate the potential deployment of the East County DPMT project.  

ECCP specializes in a revolutionary on-demand public transportation system. CCTA in partnership with Tri Delta Transit, selected ECCP as the preferred vendor for the DPMT project after a comprehensive evaluation process. CCTA, Tri Delta Transit, and ECCP will work together to deliver an initial viable segment of the larger project through a unique public-private partnership (P3).

“We’re very excited about this project and believe it will significantly improve the quality of life in our community,” said CCTA Board Chair Federal Glover. “It’s a bold step towards a more sustainable and accessible future for Contra Costa.”

To actualize that future, CCTA and Tri Delta Transit determined last year that engaging a private sector partner to collaborate with would be the most beneficial strategy. The P3 approach has proven to be a highly efficient agreement, allowing for smoother delivery and deployment of transportation projects. P3s unlock the ability to quickly mobilize the resources required for state-of-the-art, effective, and sustainable transportation solutions, such as the DPMT project. 

As East Contra Costa County prepares for extensive population growth and an increasingly overburdened and congested Highway 4, DPMT offers an opportunity to relieve congestion on the freeway and local arterials.

“This partnership is a significant milestone for us,” said Tri Delta Transit Board Chair, Lamar Thorpe. “By working with ECCP, we can leverage their expertise in innovative transportation technologies to better serve East County residents.”

While CCTA and Tri Delta Transit will now need to pursue regional, state and federal funding to support the project, the announcement of this partnership is the first step in the process. The Feasibility Study included a high-level cost estimate of $450M for the conceptual alignment shown in that study. The cost estimate is subject to change as it needs to be validated as the project progresses. During SPDA Phase 1, the ECCP will work collaboratively with CCTA, Tri Delta Transit and the East County cities to select an initial viable segment. The work will include developing the cost estimate and funding plan for this initial segment.

For more information about the DPMT Project see video or visit https://ccta.net/projects/east-county-dynamic-personal-micro-transit-project/

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

At Diablo Valley College

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) has announced he will host his 200th Town Hall since coming to Congress on Saturday, December 9th at 1 p.m. at the Bistro at Diablo Valley College’s Pleasant Hill Campus.

“I am grateful for the continued engagement of the people of California’s 10th Congressional District and look forward to celebrating this milestone together,” said DeSaulnier.

During the town hall he will provide a recap of House Democrats’ efforts this past year to support the American people and a preview of his legislative priorities heading into the new year.

Town Hall at Diablo Valley College

Saturday, December 9th
1:00 – 2:00 PM
The Bistro

321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill

This event is open to the public and press and will be streamed live on Congressman DeSaulnier’s Facebook page.

To RSVP, submit a question, or request special accommodations, visit  https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660.

Anytime, day or night, people in Contra Costa County can now access immediate support during a behavioral health crisis. Starting Dec. 1, Contra Costa Health’s A3 program will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People facing a behavioral health, mental health or substance use crisis can call the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center 24/7 at 844-844-5544 for care over the phone and have an in-person team dispatched to them if needed.

“Using our new Measure X sales tax funds to make immediate mental health crisis response available anytime to all Contra Costans will improve quality of life and reduce the harm caused by mental health challenges,” said Supervisor John Gioia, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Having round-the-clock mental health services available throughout Contra Costa has been a long-time need and we are proud that we can now provide these vital services at any time.”

The need for A3’s robust, immediate response is evident, with behavioral health issues the third most common call ambulances respond to in the county. People needing behavioral health crisis support can call A3 to talk to trained professionals who can provide care over the phone and connections to follow-up care or send a team to respond in person when needed. Most callers’ needs are resolved over the phone.

“About one in five adults in Contra Costa County struggles with behavioral health issues, but the stigma around mental health and addiction can make it hard to seek help. Too often, people suffer through a behavioral health crisis in silence. Expanding A3 to respond around the clock makes it easier for people experiencing behavioral health problems, and their loved ones, to get the professional, caring support they need,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis.

A3 has grown from a pilot project in 2021 to now operating 24/7. Currently, A3 responds to about 200 calls and dispatches 30 mobile teams per week. They helped over 2,900 callers in 2022 and expect that number to grow to more than 4,500 people this year.

“Behavioral health crisis care is more accessible than ever before in Contra Costa County, thanks to the vision and hard work of our A3 team and community partners, including people with lived experience, family members, advocates, community groups, law enforcement, cities, fire and emergency medical responders and behavioral health professionals,” said Anna Roth, Contra Costa Health CEO.

A3 is Contra Costa County’s innovative approach to providing timely and appropriate behavioral health crisis services to anyone, anywhere, at anytime in the county. Annual Measure X sales tax revenue supports the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center, mobile response teams and connection to follow-up care for those in crisis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call the A3 Miles Hall Crisis Call Center at 844-844-5544. Learn more at cchealth.org/a3 or watch a video about the program. 

To boost train ticket affordability and streamline service, Amtrak® San Joaquins℠ will offer savings for two types of travelers – customers booking early and for those that travel on off-peak trains. Beginning November 1, 2023, and concluding June 30, 2024, the pilot will provide a variety of fares with more flexible and affordable options.

Amtrak’s extensive customer research found that introducing a broader range of fares could better serve riders. The Fare Pilot will provide travelers with new flexible and affordable options allowing time for potential passengers to familiarize themselves with the revamped system. The aim of the pilot is to better meet Amtrak San Joaquins customer needs.

“Passenger feedback and data-driven insights are pivotal in shaping our services so that we are serving our passengers in the best way possible,” said David Lipari, Deputy Director of Passenger Experience and Communications. “Recent findings from Amtrak underscore the potential to refine our pricing approach for train trips, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our riders. This new system specifically achieves this goal by building in savings for travelers that book early or travel on off-peak trains.”

Amtrak San Joaquins currently operates under a Reserved System, where tickets must be purchased before the train’s departure. Passengers who opt for both the Thruway Bus and train service are charged a combined fare.

The San Joaquins Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) in alignment with Amtrak initiated a pilot program to assess its potential positive impact on the service. To provide economic relief for riders and drive incremental ridership and revenue, the San Joaquins will continue to offer many of the Every Day and seasonal discounts.

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com.

Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.

“Accept the donated Viera–North Peak and CEMEX properties for starters” – Save Mount Diablo

Asks public to support effort

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

Mount Diablo State Park hasn’t added a new property since 2007—16 years ago. For eight years, Save Mount Diablo has been trying to transfer our 165-acre Viera–North Peak property on the very slopes of Mount Diablo’s North Peak, for free. More than a year ago, the CEMEX quarry publicly announced it wanted to donate 101 acres next to the state park’s Mitchell Canyon, including a section of the historic Black Point Trail. We need the public’s help to urge California State Parks to get moving on these critical acquisitions.

Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director, Ted Clement, stated, “At Save Mount Diablo, we have worked hard to build a large pool of strategic properties waiting to be added to Mount Diablo State Park—properties like the Balcerzak inholding, the Viera–North Peak property, part of Curry Canyon Ranch, and the CEMEX land. We are poised to dramatically increase the size, value, integrity, and stunning splendor of Mount Diablo State Park for more public benefit and connection to nature. Now is the time for action!”

 We’ve worked closely with the state for 50 years, helping them acquire land. Mount Diablo State Park’s General Plan includes 7,500 acres of “appropriate future additions,” most on the actual slopes of Mount Diablo’s two main peaks. Sometimes they’d buy property, sometimes we would.

Sixteen years ago, California State Parks stopped making progress on any new additions to Mount Diablo State Park. Save Mount Diablo has stepped in to save threatened properties that should be in the state park until the state could move forward, or they would have been lost.

Within the “appropriate additions” area, we’ve purchased 165-acre Viera–North Peak, 1,080-acre Curry Canyon Ranch, 76-acre Wright Canyon, 20-acre Young Canyon, 95-acre Anderson Ranch, 29-acre Smith Canyon, the 10-acre Balcerzak inholding, and very soon, the 6.69-acre Krane Pond property, locking up eight critical properties worth more than $12 million.

Several more properties make sense as additions, including the 101-acre CEMEX property donation above Mitchell Canyon. Save Mount Diablo negotiated with CEMEX for over six years to have this land donated to Mount Diablo State Park. In 2022, the CEMEX corporation agreed and publicly announced it would make this donation to Mount Diablo State Park.

We take care of and clean up the properties we acquire before conveying these lands to Mount Diablo State Park.

Reasons abound for the logjam. State budget shortfalls during recessions. Proposals to close state parks in 2008 and 2011. Several new State Park Directors and several reorganizations.

One of the biggest problems was the loss of experienced land acquisition staff in Sacramento. But state voters also approved resource bonds in 1998, 2001, 2006, and 2018, each with hundreds of millions of dollars for state parks. The acquisition department should be back up to speed.

As California State Parks faltered, nonprofit land trusts all over the state have stepped in to protect critical properties that might have been lost. We’re told that Viera–North Peak and Curry Canyon Ranch properties are on California State Parks’ top priority list, and park staff urged us to acquire the Balcerzak inholding, which had complicated park management for decades.

We were told that acquisitions might resume if we got funding from other sources, so we did, or helped with management for some time, which we agreed to do. The East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy provided all funding for Viera–North Peak. All they require is a conservation easement or a deed restriction to ensure long-term protection—which California State Parks has so far failed to accept.

After eight years without progress on Viera–North Peak—a free, turnkey property on the very slopes of the mountain, an appropriate addition that California State Parks pursued for years before we were finally able to acquire it—we and the public are getting frustrated.

We’ve asked Senator Steve Glazer and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to help move things forward, which they have kindly been doing, and we’re asking the public to urge state parks officials and the California State Parks Commission to make progress.

We are grateful that a small working group has formed, made up of our terrific partners at California State Parks and the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservancy, to help us get lands added to Mount Diablo State Park. However, we recognize that lands not being added to California State Parks is a large statewide issue, so our small working group also needs the voice and support of the public to further our efforts to break the logjam and get strategic lands added to Mount Diablo State Park.

See video of Save Mount Diablo Executive Director Ted Clement and Land Conservation Director Seth Adams speaking about this issue is available on Save Mount Diablo’s YouTube channel at youtu.be/XndEYOgOas8.

We’re asking the public to please send a message simultaneously to these individuals and agencies using this link: bit.ly/3LXEhq8.

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.

By CHP – Contra Costa

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Contra Costa Area will use grant funding to start a regional campaign in Contra Costa County aimed at stopping drivers suspected of driving under the influence and reducing impaired driving-related crashes. This one-year project ends on September 30, 2024.

The CHP Contra Costa Area will deploy officers to conduct enforcement operations on Interstates 80 and 680, State Routes 4, 24, and 242; and unincorporated roadways within Contra Costa County.

“We are taking a proactive approach to keep our roadways safe,” said CHP Captain Ben Moser, Commander of the Contra Costa Area office. “This campaign will use of combination of education and enforcement to help make Contra Costa County roadways a safer place to travel.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were nine people killed and 170 people injured in traffic crashes involving impaired drivers within the CHP Contra Costa Area’s jurisdiction between October 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021. This CHP traffic safety effort also includes a community-based task force and public awareness and education to help reinforce the dangers of driving while impaired.

The CHP would like to take this opportunity to remind the public, “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, illegal drugs, and some over-the-counter drugs can affect a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Remember to always plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or arrange for other safe alternative transportation, such as public transit or taxi/ride-hailing service.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Performances at the Antioch Historical Museum. Call the Musuem Office for tickets: 925-757-1326 or email at AntiochHistoricalSociety@comcast.net. More details later.